Steelers vs Chargers: Inactives & Impactful Roster Changes for Week 10
Steelers vs Chargers: Inactives & Impactful Roster Changes for Week 10
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers are set to clash in a pivotal Week 10 Sunday Night Football showdown, but both teams enter SoFi Stadium with significant roster holes. The latest inactive lists reveal key absences that could dramatically impact the game's flow, from offensive line reshuffles to defensive position switches.
Steelers' Key Inactives & Their Ripple Effects
The Steelers will be without four players who would typically start, creating significant challenges across the roster:
- Isaac Seumalo (OL): The starting left guard is ruled out with a pectoral injury, marking his first missed game of the season. His absence forces the Steelers to rely on either Spencer Anderson or Andrus Peat – who was activated for the first time this season – to fill the void in a crucial O-line role.
- Scotty Miller (WR): Out for his third straight game with a finger injury, Miller's absence further depletes receiver depth behind George Pickens and Diontae Johnson.
- Cole Holcomb (LB): Sidelined for the second consecutive week due to illness, prompting the elevation of practice squad linebacker Mark Robinson.
- Jabrill Peppers (S): Also missing his second straight game with a quadricep injury, compounding the Steelers' secondary struggles.
Defensive linemen Brodric Martin-Rhodes and Logan Lee round out the inactives as healthy scratches.
Jalen Ramsey's Safety Transition
The most dramatic roster move involves star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has shifted to free safety to address injuries in the secondary. Ramsey hasn't played safety full-time since his freshman year of college but is embracing the challenge:
"It's definitely not like riding a bike. Tough, but fun. I love football. All pieces of it I enjoy... It brings a renewed energy for me."
Ramsey will pair with newcomer Kyle Dugger, who impressed in his Steelers debut last week after being traded from New England just days earlier. "Extremely difficult. Super impressed by what he did," Ramsey said of Dugger's rapid integration.
Chargers' Significant Absences
The Chargers also face critical losses:
- Bobby Hart (T): Starting right tackle is inactive, continuing the team's struggles protecting Justin Herbert since Rashawn Slater's injury.
- Tarheeb Still (CB): Starting cornerback ruled out, adding to defensive backfield concerns.
- Tony Jefferson (S): Another key defensive back missing action.
Offensive linemen Foster Sarell and Kyle Kennard, plus receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Will Dissly, round out Los Angeles' inactives.
Steelers' Activation Adjustments
To combat the injuries, Pittsburgh made several roster moves:
- Elevating Andrus Peat (OL) to provide depth after Seumalo's injury.
- Activating Mark Robinson from the practice squad to cover Holcomb's absence.
- Bringing Trey Sermon up from the practice squad for backfield depth.
- Returning Chuck Clark to the safety rotation after last week's illness.
[IMAGE_1: Jalen Ramsey in Steelers uniform during transition to safety position]
Game Implications & Key Matchups
For the Steelers, the O-line reshuffle could pressure Kenny Pickett's pocket presence, while Ramsey's safety move tests his communication with Dugger against Chargers' weapons like Keenan Allen. The Chargers' offensive line issues may expose Herbert to blitzes from T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
"I'm ready when my number's called," said备用 guard Spencer Anderson. "I've equated it to preseason." This mindset will be crucial as Pittsburgh navigates its first game without a healthy starting offensive line all season.
[IMAGE_2: Steelers offensive line huddle showing personnel changes without Seumalo]
Looking Ahead
Both teams face immediate roster decisions coming out of this nationally televised contest. For Pittsburgh, monitoring Seumalo's pectoral recovery and Ramsey's safety adaptation will be critical. The Chargers must address their offensive line and secondary depth as they push toward the playoffs.
With kickoff at 8:20 PM EST, these injury-driven adjustments could very well determine the outcome of what promises to be a hard-fought AFC battle.
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Emily Rodriguez
Sports journalist covering international football, Olympics, and athlete profiles. Award-winning sports writer.